Naming Decree for the New Parish Corporation
Consisting of Immaculate Conception Church, Osakis, St. Nicholas Church, Belle River, The Church of St. Mary, Alexandria.
As we prepare a new parish corporation to replace our current Come to the Water Area Catholic Community, Father Matthew Crane of the Diocese of St. Cloud issued guidance called Nominando creaturas that defines more clearly how the diocese will establish new parish names.
1. The naming of the parish is not the naming of churches: “Churches, once dedicated with a particular title, may not be renamed without a special permission from Rome, and it is not the intention of diocesan leadership to seek such permission.”
2. “Second, due to Canon Law, names for these newly merged parishes must be of a certain religious character. Article 2 §3 specifies a parish may only be named after"... the Most Holy Trinity; Our Lord Jesus Christ, invoked under a mystery of his life or under his name as already used in the Divine Liturgy; the Holy Spirit; the Blessed Virgin Mary under a given title already found in the Divine Liturgy; the holy Angels, or a Blessed or a Saint inscribed in the Roman Martyrology."
3. “Third, whatever procedure is used to produce a list of potential parish names, it is very strongly desired that the procedure produces a list of only three names (a terna) to be submitted to the bishop for his consideration.”
The Come to the Water ACC All Things New Planning Committee has decided to reject names based on these criteria to avoid confusion and create a sense of unity among our current communities.
● None of the current church names of the ACC will be chosen.
● Avoid names of neighboring churches, schools, or communities
With these guidelines in mind, the All Things New Planning Committee has selected five possible names for our new parish corporation. Members of all three church communities are invited to help choose the three names that will be submitted to the Bishop for his consideration.
The following five names are presented in no particular order. Each meets the established naming guidelines and includes a brief description of its significance.
St. Peter the Fisherman
St. Peter was an ordinary fisherman whom Jesus called to become a "fisher of men" and the rock upon which
He would build His Church. For our communities, surrounded by lakes and rich in fishing traditions, St. Peter
connects our local heritage to our Catholic faith. As the first Pope, he represents the unity of the Church and
reminds us that Christ calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things and bring others closer to Him.
Nativity of Our Lord
Nativity of Our Lord celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, when God came into the world to bring us salvation.
With our existing churches dedicated to St. Nicholas, the Immaculate Conception, and St. Mary, Nativity
continues our communities' connection to the Christmas story and the Holy Family. As our three churches
begin a new chapter together, this name represents a new beginning centered on Christ and the hope and love He brings to the world.
St. Damien of Molokai
Canonized in 2009, St. Damien was a Belgian-born priest who dedicated his life to caring for people suffering
from leprosy on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. He lived among those he served, eventually contracting the
disease himself. Recognized among the American saints, St. Damien provides a powerful example of selfless
love and sacrifice. His life reminds our communities that following Christ means caring for our neighbors,
especially those who are suffering, lonely, or in need.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi means "Body of Christ" and celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith. The name itself is a public expression of what we believe as Catholics.
Although we worship in three different churches, we are united as one Body of Christ, sharing one faith and
one mission. Corpus Christi places Jesus at the center of our parish identity and provides a lasting name that
can welcome additional churches and communities in the future.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American woman to be canonized a saint. Orphaned at a young age, she faced great challenges and opposition because of her Catholic faith but remained devoted to Christ. Her
courage, perseverance, and connection to the natural world resonate with the heritage and landscape of
Central Minnesota. St. Kateri reminds us to remain faithful to Christ, even when following Him is difficult.
While our three churches will retain their individual names, traditions, and histories, we will move forward together as one parish family. The name we choose will reflect our shared Catholic faith and represent our community for generations to come.
We invite every parishioner to prayerfully consider these five names and help select the three that will be submitted to the Bishop for his final decision.
Together, we are building the future of our Catholic community, united in our mission:
“To Build God's Church Across Generations by Living the Eucharist."